Elephants are scary strong. They can weigh in at 25,000 pounds and tower to fifteen feet tall. In the wild, they have been known to completely uproot trees using their tusks. They’re creatures with Thor-like strength that can break out of almost anything. So how do people keep them contained when they’re domesticated? Easy. A small chain and a steel stake in the ground.
Wait, how is that possible? One of the most powerful creatures can be contained by a chain? From the time the animals are babies, their keepers put a shackle around the elephants’ legs. During their rebellious toddler years, they actively try to break free. Attempt after attempt, they fail and, ultimately, get a little sore in the process. After a while, they stop fighting it. After the elephant has grown up into the strongest animal on the face of the earth, they still remember their struggle and pain. Thus, they don’t even try to break free despite now being able to bust the small chains and shackles.
There is an elephant inside of you— a massive beast of creativity and capability. However, just like elephants in the circus, we can feel chained down. Jesus said, “Who the Son sets free is free indeed” (John 8:36). Despite all the things that seem to be holding you back, Jesus has set you free from them. There is no past sin, shame, or struggle that has any power over you. Just like the elephants in captivity, it’s all in your head. By the strength of Jesus within you, breaking free is as easy as just moving forward.